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A Beginner’s Guide To ‘Miracleman’
The Reveal This Week
This week we had another winner! The first person with the correct answer of Miracleman was @bumpkinstv on TikTok!
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Character Bio
Miracleman (originally called Marvelman), was created by Mick Anglo. He made his first comic book appearance in Marvelman #25 back in 1954.
Astro-Scientist Guntag Barghelt, has discovered the “key word” to the universe. A single word that when uttered, in combination with some atomic engineering, can give the speaker the powers of Marvelman (later re-named Miracleman). Now, he must give this knowledge to a worthy person. He needs to find someone with untaintable integrity, and a deep understanding of right and wrong.
While walking around the city, he is approached by a young boy named Micky Moran, a copy boy working at the Daily Bugle. Lost in his thoughts, Gutnag had unknowingly dropped a dime from his pocket. Micky saw him drop the dime, and had chased him down to return it to him. It was in this moment that Guntag had found his Marvelman.
After being atomically treated by the scientist, Micky is told the key word “KIMTOMA” (Atomik backwards) and is given the ability to become the invincible superhero known as Marvelman.
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Reading Recommendations
Miracleman is a character that has been bought and sold by multiple publishers over the years. In recent years, the ownership has belonged to Marvel. The character has transformed from the nuclear powered young boy, to the equivalent of a god for the Golden Age. Complete with residing atop Olympus.
With so many different publishers in control of the character over time, it can be difficult to track down comics involving Miracleman. Below I have done my best to select runs that are easily accessible. Just keep in mind that this is a character that you may have to do some hunting to find in the wild.
Number 1
Marvelman #25
Writer/ Artist: Mick Anglo
As per usual, I like to start these lists off with the first appearance of the revealed character. What better place to begin reading about Miracleman, than his very first appearance in Marvelman #25 from 1954?
On the first page we are given a brief history of how Micky gains his powers. As he is returning home from copies at the Daily Bugle, he happens upon a mugging in progress. Seeing this, Micky uses his key word ‘KIMOTA’ to turn into Marvelman. Once assuming his heroic alter ego, he makes quick work of the muggers.
A new villain witnesses this entire scene, including Micky’s transformation first hand. The rest of the issue follows Marvelman as he is captured, his mouth taped over, and strapped to an atom bomb ready to drop. He manages to free himself, and assume the role of Marvelman with just enough time to ensure the bomb detonates in the ocean, rather than over a city.
Number 2
Miracleman: The Golden Age
Writer: Neil Gaiman
Artist: Mark Buckingham
London has been destroyed. From the ashes of this destruction, a new ‘Golden Age’ has begun on Earth. There is no war. No hunger. Poverty has become a thing of the past. The dead are even able to inhabit new, artificial bodies! Humanity is at peace. Pilgrims from all over the globe make the journey to Olympus, in order to make requests of their new god and protector, Miracleman.
As a species, mankind has never had a more prosperous period in their history. But, are they ready for it? Has humanity truly evolved? Or are we still the same selfish, violent beings we have always been? Can humanity even exist in a world of gods and super powered beings? Miracleman: The Golden Age from 2016 explores all of this and more. It’s a must read for anyone looking to read up on the character.
Number 3
Miracleman Vol.1
Writers: Mick Anglo and Alan Moore
Artists: Garry Leach and Don Lawrence
Within this story, the year is 1981. Kommandant Garrer and his Atomic Storm Troopers are planning to travel back in time. Their plan is to go back to a period when the United Earth Government doesn’t exist, thus giving them a better chance at world domination. Eventually they succeed in their initial goal, and manage to travel back to the year 1956. They are convinced their superior technology will give them a huge advantage in this time period.
After learning what has happened, Miracleman and his allies rush out to thwart the villains. After seeing Paris and Saigon both decimated, they waste little time in attempting to stop these time traveling mass murderers.
This run has everything you could really want in a comic book. Fantastic writing, outstanding artwork and time travel plots. What more could you ask for? This is a fun read that is worth its cover price over and over again.
Can You Guess The Next Character?
This is ‘Who’s That Comic Character?’, the series where I give you a silhouette of a comic book character, and you try to figure out who it is! The video posts to all major social media platforms, so no matter your preferred app, you can find this series!
Rules Of The Game
- You only get one guess per person
- Check comment sections to ensure your guess has not already been taken by another player. Only the FIRST person with the right answer on each platform will get the shoutout
- Be specific with your guess! For example: If you guess “Green Lantern” you need to specify WHICH Green Lantern you mean. Hal Jordan? Alan Scott? John Stewart? Be Specific
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So always take a good long look at the silhouette provided, because they can get very tricky. The first person on any given platform to guess the character correctly, gets a shout out in the reveal video and the article that goes with it!
Good luck everyone, and as always Be Safe, Be Kind, and Take It Easy!
